Toward Vital Cities: Decision Support Methods in Urban Development

Paper in proceeding, 2012

Contemporary cities are planned to be the engines of regional and national development depending on innovation, human capital and connectivity in advanced economies. Cities grow vital by their economies and because of the everyday acts and relations between its elements. In the current environment of rapid global change, population growth,changing economies and social preferences, cities face enormous problems. The complexity of urban environment and the unpredictability of planning indicate the need to change traditional planning methods to keep up with profound changes in the culture and economy of cities. Possible alternatives are not so far away. Many cities are currently undergoing revitalization. Planning for high mobility, cities can offer high quality environments and sustainable patterns of development. They try to provide social and cultural vitality increasing population diversity and fluidity. Yet many questions remain for urban policy and research. The purpose of this paper is to underscore the increasing need for policy makers to understand that a relevant decision making process requires the support of proper methods of urban research and coordinated strategic actions. Introducing new methodological policies will keep policies “under review” and help them remain relevant to changing circumstances.